Knife sharpener



' Spt. 30, 1941. c, c, w L 2,257,407

KNIFE SHARPENER Filed Nov. 30, 1940 C C. ZZ/ZZZff INVENTOR. BY 7% 4 61W,

ATTORNEY 5.

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 UNITEDZSTATE V KNIFE SHARPENER. 2 Carlyle o. Wulff, Chi agoJIIL p ApplicationNovember 30,1540, Serial ascent: 1 20mm.. 9131-128) My invention relates to knife sharpeners of the rotary type, and more particularly to, such devices in the form of a unit which can, be mounted in a handy place in the home.

One object of the invention is'to design the novel sharpener in a compact and encased form, whereby to present a neat appearance and be protected from interference by external objects.

A further object of the invention is to employ a very simple mechanism for the sharpener, whereby to enable its manufacture to be economical and its usefree from trouble or repair.

Another object of theinvention is to provide means for disposingthe knife in a position of highest efllciency relative to the sharpening element.

An additional object of the invention is to construct the casing of the sharpener in a manner to both afford access by the knife to the sharpening element as well as to train the knife in the proper course relative to such element.

Fig. l is a front elevation of the sharpener;

Fig. 2 is a side view; i

Fig. 3 is a top plan view; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental section taken on the line l--4 of Fig. 1.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawing indicates the casing of the sharpener at I0, such casing having a separate lower portion at H. The upper portion of l the casing is intended to hold the sharpening mechanism, while the lower portion serves as a well for oil which may be used as a lubricant for the sharpening mechanism; or, such lower portion may serve simply to catch dust, shavings or other particles falling from the sharpening zone. The casing components are secured together by a pair of bolts l2 directed from the lower casing portion into the upper one by way of reinforcing webs la and 2a internally of the casing portions.

The front wall of the upper casing portion I is thickened inwardly at the center as indicated at 3 to form a journal for a spindle M on whose inner end is secured an emery wheel I5. The thickened portion |3 carries a bushing I6 through which the spindle l4 projects to receive a crank handle Thus, the latter is employed to rotate the emery wheel l5; and the bushing I6 is extended from the casing to space the crank handle therefrom.

The back of the casing is extended with perforated ears I 8 and I9 at the top and bottom to facilitate the support of the sharpener. on a wall or post. The emery wheel is near to the front wall of the casing, and the top front skirt and rear skirt casing sections 29, 20 and respectively are formed with a pair of slots 2| whose general courses are in paths approximate- 1y along, opposite sides of the emery wheel as indicated in Fig. 3. i

Fig. 4 shows more clearly that the rim portion 22 of the emery wheel isslightly. beveled toward the periphery on. opposite sides. Thus, theformation of the said rim portion lends itself to the beveled or taperediedge portion of aknife 23 which is applied to oneface of the rim portion to sharpen one side of the knife, and to the other face to sharpen the other sidethereof.

It is noted that" the slots 2| in the top and skirt portions of the casing diverge from comparatively close positions at one side to widely spaced positions in the top region, terminating with some convergence at their remote ends. Assuming that the crank handle I! is usually operated with the right hand, it is intended that the knife be inserted in one or the other of the slots 2| from the zone of their initial convergence, the knife then being lowered with its remote portion through the balance of the chosen slot.

It is noted that the casing I0 is of substantially octagonal form. This form, coupled with the courses of the slots 2| gives the knife proper guidance and the slots a peculiar direction as leads for the knife in relation to the emery wheel. Assuming that the knife is inserted in one slot to sharpen one of its sides, and in the other slot to sharpen the other side, the characteristics of the slots become apparent. First, the divergence of the slots from the point of approach enables the knife to be held practically in the same position whichever slot is used, only a slight lateral movement being necessary after the knife is raised out of one slot to swing it for lowering into the other slot. Thus, no particular concern or movement is required for shifting the position of the knife, so that time is saved.

Another characteristic of the slots 2| is the deflection they incur by reason of the inclined It will be evident from the above description that I have provided a sharpener which is primarily an article of good appearance and hardly suggestive of its mechanical character when hung on a kitchen wall or other conspicuous place. The casing makes an attractive appearance, and may be finished in enamel or with other pleasing effects. Further, the mechanism is entirely enclosed, so that it is out of sight, out of theway, and. free from, interference by external objects. .Besides, the mechanism is a simple and direct drive rather than a more complicated geared-up type, since the sharpener is more in the nature of a hone than a grinder; and is effective at low speed.

Further, the

changes and refinements as coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A knife sharpener, comprising an abrasive depending front skirt integral with said top porlower portion of the casing forms a well which may contain an oil bath for the emerywheel to improve the sharpeningvaction thereof; or, if a y no oil is used, the well may serve to catch emery dust or metal particles dropping from th'e'sha'rpening zone. Further, the slots 'in the top of the casing form an inconspicuous entrance and an automatic leadgfor'the 'knifeso as to'require no 7 experience or particular concern bythe operatorto insert or properly applythe knife tothe emery wheel. Altogether, the novel sharpener formsafhandy; compact and efiicient appliance for use, in thefhome, workroom, basement or in the kitchen -oi arest'aurantqor backroom of a store or other, business "place.

While I have described. the invention along specific lines, various minor changes and refinernents may .be made without departing from its ;princip1e,*and I desire =toconsider allsuch tion and overlying the upper front portion of said wheel; and a depending rear skirt integral with said top por tion and overlying the upper rear portion of said wheel, a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced guide slots through said top portion of said casing and the adjacent portions of said skirts, said slots commencing in said front skirtin substantially closely spaced vertical.planesiinwardly of said grinding faces andfthen'extending throughout said front skirt and top portion in longitudinally diverging directions to laterally spaced points outwardly of said grinding faces, said slots then extending'into said rear skirt in longitudinally converging directions and terminating therein in more widely spaced relation thanat the front end. 1

2. The structure of claim: 1, said top portion or said casing being flat. and substantially hori-. zontal, and said. skirts "being fiat and'extending from said top portion-at downwardly diverging angles.-

7 CARLYLE C. WULFF. 

